Betsy Carreño
Copy Editor
Recently, I had the privilege of traveling away from the cold weather Chicago brings, and enjoying my spring break with the warm and sunny weather México has.
I traveled to Durango, México, which is best known for being the state of the scorpions.
While staying there, I decided that getting to know the city, towns and ranchos were necessary for me to truly embrace how life in México can be different for everyone.
My first couple of days consisted of having a life in the city of Durango. It was one of the busiest places, regardless of the time.
When going on the cableway, it’s obvious how big the city really is. The Cathedral of Durango, takes the spotlight, being seen from far and high above.
Once walking into the city, the buzz of the people surrounds everything. The street, La Constitucion, is famous for the stores that surround it, along with the many restaurants tourists can eat at. Some of the restaurants consist of traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, gorditas and tortas, while other restaurants also offer burgers, fries, crepes and sushi. The music, people, singing and dancing in the streets do not go unnoticed.
While having easy access to stores nearby, the city of Durango is an experience that is unique to the rest of the state.
After spending a couple of days in the city, I moved on to the rancho. Life there is drastically different compared to the city.
On my first day there, I woke up early in the morning to see what the usual morning chores were. I saw how people milk a cow, along with letting the chickens out of their corral and saying hi to a piggy.
Afterward, breakfast begins by heating the food on a stove that uses firewood. Everything is ready in a flash, and my walk along the rancho begins.
Living a couple of days in the rancho was amazing. I disconnected from the internet, was more in tune with nature, and enjoyed waking up in the morning to be with farm animals and to go on walks along the river.
The last place that was missing from my adventure was spending my days living in the town.
While the city of Durango is busy, the town is unique. It’s normal for people to travel from one place to another by using public transportation, along with a taxi or a motorcycle.
While I don’t know how to drive a motorcycle, I was able to catch a ride on one. Exhilarating does not begin to explain how it is to travel using one.
Living in the town is like living in the city but on a smaller scale. The stores and restaurants are also easy to access, and with a lot of variety. There is also a stronger sense of community when living in the town.
I personally liked my morning breakfast in the town, which consisted of going on a run to buy barbacoa to make tacos.
Being able to explore the different atmospheres that México provides, along with the tasty food it brings, it’s important to explore all the ways México is México.
It goes without saying that regardless of which place a person stays in, the city, rancho or town, there will be enjoyment all throughout.
